Am I allowed to increase monthly mortgage repayments on UC?

justwhat

peteuk said:

There are obviously people who need the benefits system and there are a few people who know how to use and to somewhat abuse the benefit system. I know these people are few and far between however the optics is never good.

Need and abuse are socially acceptable moving goal post.  You have to work with the system in place at the time. And everyone's situation is different.

peteuk

justwhat said:

peteuk said:

There are obviously people who need the benefits system and there are a few people who know how to use and to somewhat abuse the benefit system. I know these people are few and far between however the optics is never good.

Need and abuse are socially acceptable moving goal post.  You have to work with the system in place at the time. And everyone's situation is different.

Totally however I stand by the fact that there are some serial abusers of the system, they are few and fair between, but then everyone gets tarred with the same brush.

For instance if you say someone on UC goes on holiday abroad 3 times a year - then most will say I cant afford one holiday, they must be abusing the system.  But wont in fact realise that they have a disability, living in assisted housing get multiple benefits (rightfully) and so can afford 3 holidays because they spent very little elsewhere.  Think The Sun headlines… headline says one thing but the actually story is completely different. 

kimwp

Don't forget to check what your max overpayment on your mortgage is before penalties are applied.

peteuk

peteuk said:

Equally the OP has a spare £600 per month to over pay their mortgage, so is this per month, if so then thats a total of £7200 per year.  Check your mortgage agreement for over paying.

From £300 to £950 is an increase of over 200% increase,  or from £3.6K to £11.4K

andrewmp

Well done on having your finances in such good shape, despite being on benefits. 

There's no problem with repaying debts on universal credit. The legislation specifically states that debt repayment can go be considered deprivation of capital.

andrewmp

kaMelo said:

One needs to bear in mind everyone's situation is different, one post a while back was a couple whose household income would need to exceed £80,000 before their UC would be zeroed by deductions.

My friend and his wife have combined income of over 83k and they get it. I don't think it's much, but still. They have a huge mortgage too though so I think it'll come in handy for them.